EU booklet that can help Irish businesses


20 Nov 2010

Chambers Ireland has launched a new information booklet detailing European Union (EU) funding programmes to support research and innovation that can be availed of by Irish businesses.

European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science Máire Geoghegan-Quinn officially launched the guide.

“Membership of the EU has been a significant factor in Ireland’s economic and business development. Initiatives such as the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) present promising opportunities for Irish researchers and enterprises to apply for research funding to the value of €600m up to 2013.

“The participation of Irish enterprises in collaborative research projects will benefit Irish industry in innovative and commercial opportunities,” said Ian Talbot, Chambers Ireland chief executive.

“Companies have secured €55.5m of this fund since FP7 was launched in 2007, with SMEs accounting for over 69pc of the funding. This guide will help other SMEs identify funding opportunities and ultimately contribute to the development of Ireland’s smart economy.”

Funding initiatives detailed in the guide include:

  • The Seventh Framework Programme (FP7)
  • The Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme
  • EUREKA’s Eurostars Programme
  • European Co-operation in Science and Technology

The publication is funded as part of the Communicating Europe Initiative, which is administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Chambers Ireland also announced yesterday that there should be no negotiations on the 12.5pc corporation tax.

Article courtesy of Bizstartup.ie